Many commiserations to Dean Barker and the entire ETNZ syndicate. It has been a thrilling ride and we can only imagine their disappointment after receiving, I would suggest, a little more than their share of bad luck.

We salute their outstanding achievement in the LV Cup and a heroic tilt at the Cup itself. At the same time, we congratulate Oracle on an astonishing, unlikely fight-back.

Statistically, ETNZ sailed their best race in the final showdown, posting their best upwind and downwind times and highest average speeds around the course. Clearly, neither side was giving any quarter and the key components of ability, teamwork and heart were manifest in both crews.

Pain is temporary, glory is forever and it is certain that this America's Cup - and these crews - will be long remembered and celebrated for all the right reasons, despite the bitter disappointment of defeat we feel now.

Comments are closed.

Author

Alex Webster is Auckland Fleet Captain and runs this website, so blame him.